WASHINGTON – While many places are closed on the Fourth of July and governments are shut down, one thing remains operational: traffic cameras.
Under Maryland law, speed cameras in school zones operate Monday through Friday from 6 a.m. to 8 a.m., regardless of the holiday. That means the cameras will be active on July 4, even if no schools are in session.
Had July 4 fallen on a weekend, they would not have been active. Some critics have called this a loophole and want Maryland lawmakers to close it, but it’s not a priority in the speed camera debate in Annapolis.
In Montgomery County, residential speed cameras are also active. Those cameras run every day. The same applies for Maryland work zone cameras, even if no work is being done.
Under Maryland law, people receive a $40 speed camera ticket for driving 12 mph over the limit.
In the District, speed cameras also operate on July 4. The D.C. speed camera program runs 24 hours a day, seven days a week, 365 days a year.
Under D.C. law, motorists receive a $92 fine for driving 11-15 mph more than the limit. Driving 16-20 mph more than the limit will bring a fine of $100 and 21-25 mph more than the limit yields a $150 fine.
Virginia does not have speed cameras.
Also, red-light cameras run all day, every day. Montgomery, Prince George’s and Howard counties all have red-light cameras, as well as the District.
In Virginia, jurisdictions like Arlington, Alexandria, Falls Church, the City of Fairfax and the Town of Vienna all have red-light cameras. Prince William and Loudoun counties do not have speed cameras.
Fairfax County does not have red-light cameras, although the Fairfax County Department of Transportation and Fairfax County police are studying the feasibility of restarting the program.
Fairfax County Supervisor Michael Frey asked for a study, and results should be presented in the fall.
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